President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev met with Sanzhar Zharkeshov, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC “NC QazaqGaz,” to review the company’s 2024 performance and strategic priorities for the coming years.

Key highlights from the meeting:

  • Strong operational performance: Over the past three years, more than 1.7 million people have been connected to natural gas. National gasification now stands at 62.4%, ensuring reliable, year-round supply to households.

  • Major infrastructure projects:

    • Completion of the “Taldykorgan–Usharal” pipeline, set to serve 66 settlements in the Zhetysu region.

    • Launch of a new LPG transshipment and fractionation plant at the Kashagan field to boost domestic supply.

    • Construction of a $1.35 billion urea plant in partnership with Turkish investor ESTA.

    • Start of Phase 2 construction on the “Beineu–Bozoy–Shymkent” trunk pipeline — a key project for national energy infrastructure.

  • Regional energy leadership: Kazakhstan has increased transit volumes of Russian gas to Uzbekistan, further strengthening its role as a regional energy hub. Major overhauls are underway on the “Central Asia – Center” pipeline to expand capacity.

  • Expanding resource base: New subsoil use agreements have been signed with international partners, including CNPC, for gas exploration at “Akkuduk,” “Severny-1,” and “Severny-2” blocks — with full carry financing.

  • Innovation and digitization: AI-driven digital initiatives are being deployed to modernize operations. Computing power will be scaled using GPU technology on Kazakhstan’s national supercomputer.

  • Strategic outlook:
    QazaqGaz outlined its plans across the entire value chain:

    • Upstream: new gas field discoveries

    • Midstream: expanded pipeline infrastructure

    • Downstream: launch of a 1 bcm gas processing plant at Kashagan and new gas-chemical facilities.

  • Future investment: Work is underway on a world-class coal chemical plant with up to $2 billion in investments and 2 bcm/year capacity.

President Tokayev provided several strategic directives, including preparations for the upcoming heating season, improving investment attractiveness, continuing pricing reforms, and advancing Kazakhstan’s national gas strategy.